AUKUS
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AUKUS: the latest capitulation on defence by our born-to-rule elites
Conservative Coalition leaders have a history of committing Australia to overseas military adventures – and the ‘patriotic’ media have never questioned the propaganda. Continue reading »
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AUKUS, another wrong turn for our foreign policy.
The notion of treating Washington and Beijing in the same manner while pursuing our sovereign interests has been cast to the wind. Continue reading »
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A flawed argument for Australian nuclear deterrence
Hugh White’s book on Australian defence amounts to an advocacy of nuclear weapons. Some aspects of his arguments are reckless and reveal a sense of denial. Continue reading »
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Will we ever get those nuclear submarines?
Chronic problems in US Navy shipyards and questions over the future viability of attack submarines in their current roles cast doubt on the Morrison government’s controversial defence decision. Continue reading »
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‘Permissible’ Chinese military spending, AUKUS, and the security dilemma
The view that AUKUS is a justified response to China’s actions ignores China’s achievements and future ambitions. It also ignores China’s legitimate security fears. Continue reading »
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Gunboat diplomacy: Joined at the hip to the war-addicted US
After 40 years of successful diplomacy with China, Australia has hitched itself to a permanently warlike, self-seeking United States. How on earth did it come to this? Continue reading »
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Nuclear submarine operations in South China Sea endanger coastal countries
The accident involving a US nuclear-powered submarine in the South China Sea brings into scrutiny the ramifications of such an accident. The release of nuclear radiation could damage the food supply of many nations. Continue reading »
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AUKUS is a stab in the back and a big mistake
By becoming little more than a US outpost, Australia is progressively sacrificing its role as an independent actor in the Asia-Pacific region, and diminishing its clout accordingly. Continue reading »
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Australia must beware racist dog whistling in next election
A number of columns in these pages have observed that the AUKUS agreement seems a timely gambit to create a “khaki election” campaign for a floundering Coalition government. It is also potentially a dog whistle effort to deploy racism to maintain power. Continue reading »
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Dodging the debt trap: a better way to compete with China in our region
Australia could use a small fraction of the money committed to nuclear-powered submarines to co-operate with our friends in a more cost-effective and quicker way to check China’s regional influence. Continue reading »
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Nuclear submarines: We don’t know the costs and we don’t know the risks
The nuclear submarine deal with the US and the UK upends Australia’s carefully thought out forward planning in defence, without a clear explanation to the nation of the ramifications. Continue reading »
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Dive! Dive! Dive! AUKUS and the submerging of our national interests
The AUKUS and nuclear submarine decisions leave Australia exposed on a range of fronts and reinforce the need for war powers to be properly regulated by Parliament. Continue reading »
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The cringe comes back: has Australia misunderstood its place in Asia again?
With the ever-worsening Australia-China relationship, this may be the right time to examine what is it in the Australian cultural behaviour that has landed us in this predicament. Continue reading »
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Chinese overflights signal to US rather than threat to Taiwan
Despite the fuss made over China’s recent military exercise over Taiwan, it’s becoming clear that China’s message was actually directed at the United States in response to its recent military drills in the region. Continue reading »
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Paul Keating’s Indonesian vision has been undone by his successors
Paul Keating’s successors failed to build on the promise and possibilities offered by the 1995 security pact with Jakarta — and the chance won’t come again. Continue reading »
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AUKUS alliance highlights US decline and Australian humiliation
By joining Australia and the UK in the AUKUS agreement, the US has highlighted its decline. And if that decline continues, Australia will find itself increasingly isolated. Continue reading »
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AUKUS nuclear submarines deal must be abandoned
Australia doesn’t need nuclear powered submarines, especially given the Australia’s long-standing support for the world’s nuclear non-proliferation goals. Continue reading »
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Why South and South-East Asia must cooperate to prevent a new Cold War amid US-China rivalry
The AUKUS alliance is the latest US move to counter China, and this steadily militarising rivalry could turn South and South-East Asia into frontline states. Continue reading »
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With a five per cent vote the Nationals are holding us to ransom on climate change
What is the meaning of Australian democracy when a minor party, populated by extreme right-wing ideologists, can decide Australia’s position on arguably the most important policy issue of our time — climate change? Continue reading »
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The AUKUS defence deal is almost wholly symbolic
The AUKUS pact may make strategic sense — Australia, after all, needs to seek partnerships. But at present, it’s almost wholly symbolic. Continue reading »
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Power to the people: peace activists say no to nuclear-powered submarines
The Morrison government’s embrace of nuclear-submarine technology and the AUKUS agreement has been challenged in Australia and overseas. A coalition of people and organisations is being formed to oppose these decisions. Continue reading »
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As Taiwan and the Mainland face off, Scott Morrison must keep calm
Political leaders on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have been facing off against each other. Taiwan has been called the most dangerous place on earth. Exaggeration, maybe, but Australia should be careful not to get involved in any confrontation. Continue reading »
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The plot to murder Julian Assange is being ignored by the mainstream media
The US government reportedly planned to kidnap and murder Julian Assange. And yet the Australian commentariat and media are silent. Why? Continue reading »
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‘I don’t need to know about that bit’: Gladys Berejiklian, Covid, and the rancid politics of division
With NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s resignation — the third in as many days — the state government is in free-fall. The only surprising thing about Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation is that it didn’t come sooner. Continue reading »
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Could AUKUS open a Chinese window to international leadership?
While there may still be quite a bit of debate about the strategic merits of AUKUS, there’s one thing most people agree about: China is not very happy. Continue reading »
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China might react to the Quad and AUKUS with tried and true patience
With the Quad and AUKUS, the US and its allies — especially Australia — are clearly challenging China militarily. All eyes are now on China to see how it will react. It has many options. Continue reading »
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AUKUS agreement threatens peace in Asia
The security pact between the US, UK and Australia is a troubling reminder that these Anglo-Saxon powers are stuck in a Cold War mindset. Continue reading »
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Australia adrift and uneasy; time to set a new course. Part 1
A pall of unease hangs over Australia, yet it’s hardly acknowledged. The government’s failings and the implications of ill-judged policies preoccupy more insightful commentators. But it may be time to consider the ills of society as a whole. Continue reading »
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The Afghan paradox: China, India and the future of Eurasia after the fall of Kabul
The fall of Kabul may be more than a historical footnote. It may yet become a key stop on a New Silk Road being forged across the vast expanses and indomitable mountains of Central Asia. Continue reading »
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Magical thinking: nuclear submarines and Australia’s Maginot Line of the imagination
The relationship between defence policy and the nuclear powered submarines has generated a lot of magical thinking. Continue reading »
